GREAT FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN:

Apprenticeships available

APPLICANTS MUST:

Be aged 18 – 54 (Must attest before 55th birthday – Ex Regulars over the age of 55 may be considered on a case by case basis)

If a qualified Chef, have a NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Food Preparation and Cooking; and Level 2 or 3 Certificate in Hospitality and Catering Principles (Professional Cookery) or any other appropriate recognised civilian qualification

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

TYPICAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Prepare meals in RAF messes

Order, store and account for food

Help plan menus for everyday meals and VIP occasions

Prepare in-flight meals for cabin crew and passengers

As an RAF Chef, you will do all kinds of work. From official functions cooking first-class food to working in the Sergeant’s Mess, a similar environment to a restaurant, as well as field catering, based outdoors, feeding hundreds of personnel. Once fully trained you will have organisational and time management skills, excellent communication and number skills and have the ability to stay calm under pressure. You will be able to work in Military Messes preparing hotel standard fare and fine dining experiences for Military personnel, in a field kitchen supporting exercises and operations worldwide or in an In-flight production kitchen producing meals for fast jet pilots, helicopter crews, large aircraft crews and passengers travelling to all corners of the globe.

With experience, you could volunteer to work in our VIP Team and cook for high ranking Officers, Government Ministers and even members of the Royal Family. If selected you could compete in culinary competitions and eventually gain an invitation to represent the Royal Air Force on the Combined Services Culinary Arts Team who compete internationally against the best industry Chefs in the world.

WHY JOIN THE RAF?

Thanks to subsidised food, travel, accommodation and free gym you get more money in your pocket.

TRAINING AND CAREER

TRAINING YOU’LL RECEIVE

Your career will start with a 10-week Basic Recruit Training Course (BRTC) at RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire. The course is designed to help you adjust to a military environment. As well as fitness and military training, you’ll also learn about the RAF lifestyle.

SPECIALIST TRAINING

If unqualified, you will complete specialist training at the Food Services Wing, Worthy Down. This 17-week course will give you an overview of catering in the RAF and the basic craft skills required of a chef. You will also undertake a ten-day Introduction to Deployed Operations with No 3 Mobile Catering Squadron. Whilst at CTS during the course you will begin a level 2 NVQ Qualifications and Credit Framework Diploma in Professional Cookery (preparation and cookery) which you will complete during the first year on unit, and you will be on your way to gaining an Apprenticeship in Hospitality. On successful completion of specialist training you will receive your first assignment.

You may be eligible for fast-track promotion if you already have acceptable academic catering qualifications and suitable catering experience in the hospitality industry. Before you join, however, your qualifications will be scrutinised by the Catering Apprenticeship Team. If you have the relevant qualifications and experience and if you achieve a pass rate of 80% or higher on all practical and theory Phase tests during the 17-week specialist training you will qualify for promotion to Senior Aircraftman/woman and will receive your first assignment.

ONGOING TRAINING/DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

As your career progresses, we will continue to train you in new skills, including management and leadership. In addition, you will have the opportunity to complete further courses in higher culinary skills, food hygiene, and instructor duties. You will also receive regular training in deployed catering and food ordering, accounting and storage.

YOUR FIRST TOUR

For your first tour, you will be posted to either an Officers’ or Sergeants’ Mess – which serve food of hotel standard – or to a Junior Ranks’ Mess, which offers a wide range of high-quality meals. It’s your first experience of life on base and a chance to understand how the RAF community works.

YOUR FUTURE CAREER PROSPECTS/PROGRESSION

You will initially join the RAF for a period of twelve years on a Notice Engagement with effect from 1 April 2015. If you have joined without qualifications, after completing one year’s total service you will be eligible for promotion to Senior Aircraftman when you pass a Trade Ability Test. Further promotion to the rank of Corporal and beyond is by competitive selection.

TRANSFERABLE SKILLS

The NVQ and Apprenticeship you can earn are as valuable in the civilian world as they are in the RAF – which means that whenever you decide to leave the RAF, you will be well placed to find a job in the hospitality industry.

TRAINING YOU’LL RECEIVE

INITIAL TRAINING

Your training will start with a Basic Recruit Training Course consisting of 4 weekends at your chosen RAF Reserves Squadron, followed by a 15-day residential training course at RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire.

SPECIALIST TRAINING

Unqualified Chef: If you are joining with little or no catering experience, you will complete specialist training at the Catering Training Squadron at Worthy Down. This course will give you an overview of catering in the RAF and the basic craft skills required of a chef. You will also undertake the Deployed Skills Course at 3 MC Squadron based at RAF Wittering. The professional training phase will be delivered over 2 training years. After successful completion of year 1 and your Trade Ability Tests you will be promoted to Leading Aircraftsman where you will be classed as interoperable and will be able to deploy on UK based exercises. After successful completion of year 2, you will be promoted to Senior Aircraftsman.

Qualified Chef: You may be eligible for fast-track promotion if you already have acceptable academic catering qualifications and suitable catering experience in the hospitality industry or previous military catering experience. Before you join your qualifications will be considered, and if you have the relevant qualifications and experience you will complete a 2-day diagnostic test. If you achieve a pass rate of 80% or higher on all practical and theory tests you will qualify for promotion to Senior Aircraftsman. Following this you will complete the Deployed Skills Course.

ONGOING TRAINING/DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

As your career progresses, we will continue to train you in new skills, including management and leadership. In addition, you will have the opportunity to complete further courses in higher culinary skills, food hygiene, and instructor duties. You will also receive regular training in deployed catering and food ordering, accounting and storage.

CAREER PROSPECTS/PROGRESSION

You initially join the RAF Reserves for a period of 12 years. Following time and experience in the rank of Senior Aircraftsman you will be eligible for further professional training and, subject to recommendations from your Flight Commander, consideration for promotion to the rank of Corporal and beyond; this is by competitive selection and subject to you obtaining positive annual appraisals.

TRANSFERABLE SKILLS

The skills you will learn are transferable to any catering establishment and are as valuable in the civilian world as they are in the RAF – which means that whenever you decide to leave the Reserves, you will be well placed to find a job in the catering and hospitality industry. Qualifications You Can Achieve Under The Apprenticeship Programme

Commitment and location

You will have to commit to 27 days per year for 12 years minimum.Each year includes a 15-day block for general RAF training, and 12 separate days for extra training or exercises.You might be deployed to a UK or overseas base for up to 6 months after the first year.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

ALL APPLICANTS MUST:

Be a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, holder of dual UK/other nationality or have been a Commonwealth citizen since birth.

Be aged 16–47 (Must attest before 48th birthday).

ALL APPLICANTS MUST:

Be a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, holder of dual UK/other nationality or have been a Commonwealth citizen since birth.

Be between 18 and 54 years old.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

If joining the RAF as an unqualified Chef, there are no educational requirements.

If joining the RAF as a qualified Chef, you will need the following:

You should have two to three years of suitable experience working as a chef/cook in a hotel, restaurant, hospital or industrial canteen, or other catering establishment (not fast food).

NVQ Level 3 in Food Preparation and Cooking; and Level 3 Certificate in Hospitality and Catering Principles (Professional Cookery), or

Any other appropriate recognised civilian qualification.

NATIONALITY & RESIDENCY

Be a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, holder of dual UK/other nationality or have been a Commonwealth citizen since birth.

Whether or not you were born in the United Kingdom, you should have resided there for the 5 years immediately preceding your application. However, candidates with a minimum of 3 years will be considered.

Following the Home Office announcement that the UK Armed Forces will now be able to recruit commonwealth citizens without the 5 year residency requirement, please note that the RAF continues to apply standard residency requirements for security clearance, ie, DV employment requires 7-years UK residency immediately prior to enlistment; SC requires 3-years.

FITNESS REQUIREMENTS

You must be physically fit to complete both initial and specialist training, and to do your role effectively. To check your fitness levels, we put every candidate through two or three separate fitness tests as part of the application process: Selection Fitness Test, Pre-joining Fitness Test or Pre-recruit Training Course. How fit you need to be to pass these tests can vary depending on role, age and gender.

Eyesight requirements vary for different roles. A requirement to wear glasses or contact lenses may be allowed for aircrew.

Get in touch if you have any questions about the health criteria, or would like to find out if any additional health requirements apply to your role of interest.

DURING YOUR APPLICATION:

The Medical Risk Assessment that all candidates undergo is there to make sure that you are healthy enough for the intense training required by the RAF. Your application will be rejected if you fail to meet the minimum acceptable medical standard for entry. Your medical history is confidential and is not disclosed to those not authorised to hold this information.

BACKGROUND CHECKS

YOU MUST:

Declare any previous spent and unspent convictions

Check if you qualify under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 through this summary

Have a basic background check to get Security Check level clearance

DISQUALIFYING FACTORS

YOU CAN'T APPLY FOR THE RAF IF YOU:

Have been or are member of a group that stirs up racial hatred and violence

Are waiting to appear in court, or have unspent convictions. You may also have to declare spent convictions for certain roles

Misuse drugs, solvents and anabolic steroids. But each case is considered upon its own merits

Have tattoos, brands or bead implants that are obscene or offensive. All tattoos must not be visible above the neck collar or below the sleeve cuff while wearing uniform

Have body piercing which causes holes that do not close up

Declare yourself to be an 'undischarged' bankrupt

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

If joining the RAF as an unqualified Chef, there are no educational requirements.

If joining the RAF as a qualified Chef, you will need a NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Food Preparation and Cooking; and Level 2 or 3 Certificate in Hospitality and Catering Principles (Professional Cookery) or any other appropriate recognised civilian qualification.

NATIONALITY & RESIDENCY

Be a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, holder of dual UK/other nationality or have been a Commonwealth citizen since birth.

Whether or not you were born in the United Kingdom, you should have resided there for the 5 years immediately preceding your application. However, candidates with a minimum of 3 years may be considered.

FITNESS REQUIREMENTS

You must be physically fit to complete both initial and specialist training, and to do your role effectively. To check your fitness levels, we put every candidate through a Pre-joining Fitness Test. How fit you need to be to pass this test can vary depending on role, age and gender.

Eyesight requirements vary for different roles. A requirement to wear glasses or contact lenses may be allowed for aircrew.

Get in touch if you have any questions about the health criteria, or would like to find out if any additional health requirements apply to your role of interest.

DURING YOUR APPLICATION:

The Medical Risk Assessment that all candidates undergo is there to make sure that you are healthy enough for the intense training required by the RAF. Your application will be rejected if you fail to meet the minimum acceptable medical standard for entry. Your medical history is confidential and is not disclosed to those not authorised to hold this information.

BACKGROUND CHECKS

YOU MUST:

Declare any previous spent and unspent convictions

Check if you qualify under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 through this summary

Have a basic background check to get Security Check level clearance

DISQUALIFYING FACTORS

YOU CAN'T APPLY FOR THE RAF IF YOU:

Have been or are member of a group that stirs up racial hatred and violence

Are waiting to appear in court, or have spent or unspent convictions that may be excluded from certain roles

Misuse drugs, solvents and anabolic steroids. But each case is considered upon its own merits

Have tattoos, brands or bead implants that are obscene or offensive. All tattoos must not be visible above the neck collar or below the sleeve cuff while wearing uniform

Have body piercing which causes holes that do not close up

Declare yourself to be an 'undischarged' bankrupt

If you don’t have any of the above, you might still be able to apply. For more information contact your local AFCO.

GOT WHAT IT TAKES?

Apply here and receive an email that invites you to your full online application.